The last few days a bird like this one has been chasing a crow in my yard (unfortunately I have not been able to get an action picture of that). If you know what type of bird this is please add a comment.
When I see robins pecking away in the grass sometimes I see them get worms but my guess is they often are eating other stuff. I also see starlings feeding on my lawn. I found some online links that I quote below on what robins and starlings eat.
From the Yardener:
Next to beneficial insects, songbirds consume the most pest insects in your yard. Robins, blackbirds, flickers and starlings will eat a lot of webworms if they are in your lawn. Many seed-eating birds prey on caterpillars while raising their young. Encourage birds to settle in or near your yard and prey on fleas by offering them food, water, and shelter.
Related: Backyard Wildlife: Sharpshinned Hawk - Cool Crow Research - Backyard Wildlife: Fox - Backyard Wildlife: Turtle
Cornell University: American Robin
The American Robin eats both fruit and invertebrates. Earthworms are important during the breeding season, but fruit is the main diet during winter. Robins eat different types of food depending on the time of day; they eat earthworms early in the day and more fruit later in the day.
History And Biology Of European Starlings In North America
Starlings are not the only culprits attacking the berries but they are an important part of the bird pest problem. Knowing the ravenous appetite of starlings for fruit and berries late in the year, it is somewhat surprising that they mostly eat insects during the summer. At least some of their eating habits can be considered as beneficial since they are the most effective enemy of clover weevil in North America. They also eat cutworms, Japanese beetles, other beetles, grasshoppers, ants, bees, wasps, millipedes, spiders, earthworms, salamanders, garbage, fruit and seeds.
Leave a Reply
